GTL experts gather in Doha for first industry congress

January 13, 2013 - 11:30:59 am

DOHA: Global gas-to-liquid (GTL) leaders from the US to Japan are here in GTL’s Capital to initiate a new course of direction for the promising industry at the inaugural World GTL Congress, which will get under way today at the St Regis Hotel.

Being held under the patronage of the Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP) H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the congress promises to be a premium platform to spawn fresh dialogue with a rich conference agenda, side events and an exciting exhibition over the next three days.

Organised by IQPC (the International Quality and Productivity Centre), with QP hosting the world’s largest such assembly to date, the congress is stealing the industry spotlight at a time when GTL is fast cementing its position as a revolutionary novel technology with potential to power such wide-ranging industries as aviation, vehicle engine manufacturing, fuel companies, lubricant manufacturing and petrochemical plants.

“The first-ever World GTL Congress has attracted the attention of many top figures of the oil and gas world to discuss the future of the industry. The diverse variety of sessions will give a complete overview of GTL, technologies, innovations, and market, in context with a view towards the future,” said Leila Masinaei Al Marzouqi, Divisional Director, Oil and Gas from IQPC Middle East.

During the event, more than 500 attendees from 30 countries, representing a broad sweep of industries from education and research to national oil companies, will utilise the opportunities on the sidelines of the conference and break out workshop sessions to network, exchange ideas, gain knowledge and foster a formidable new circle of business partnerships.

“We find it apt that an event of this scale for the global GTL industry is taking place in the ‘GTL Capital of the World’, and we look forward to continue contributing to Qatar’s leadership role in GTL,” added Al Marzouqi.

After the official opening ceremony, scheduled for 9am, by an opening address and keynote by Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, Managing Director, RasGas Company Limited, followed by more insightful keynotes by Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways; Wael Sawan, Managing Director and Chairman, Qatar Shell; and Saad Al Kuwari, CEO, Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company (Tasweeq).

Today’s conference agenda focuses on the present and future state of the GTL industry, as well as GTL financing and GTL plants operations technology.